Profile milling machine



1943- M HORLACHER 2,330,890

' PRC'FILE MILLING MACHINE I 7 Filed Dec. 13, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

BY I

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 5, 1943. H. HORLACHER 0.

PROFILE MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

#w/w/ wpma/ip we m ' ATTORNEY.

1 t. 5, 9 3 H. HORLACHER 2,330,890

PROFILE MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 as 15a 7 INVENTOR. /%/P/7/7/ wax/mp BY WWW ATIORNEY.

Patented Oct. 5, 1943 PROFILEVMILLING MACHINE Herman Horlacher, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Cincinnati Milling Machine 00., Cincin a} nati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 13, 1939, Serial No. 309,065 14 Claims. (01. 90-135) This invent-ion relates to milling machines and more particularly to, improvements for utilizing such machines for profile milling purposes.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide improved means on a 'milling' machine whereby tracer controlled profiling operations may be effected therewith.v

Another object of this invention is to'provide improved means for interlocking a tracer control mechanism with the table actuating mechanism whereby the tracer is effective duringfeeding movements and ineffective during rapid traverse movements. p

A further object of this invention is to provide a tracer controlled machine with a simplified control means which is responsive -to -.the rate controller for automatically stopping the feeding movement and eifecting separation between the tracer and pattern and likewise between the cutter and work before the rapid traverse movement becomes effective. 1 v

An additional object of this invention is to provide a simplified delay mechanism which becomes effective after a rate control element has been shifted to its rapid traverse position to delay creation of the rapid traverse movement until certain machine elements have completed movement to a new position.

Other objects and advantages of .the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying, drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood Figures '7, 8; Hand 10 are views diagrammatically illustrating the diiferent connections effected by the pilot valve. s

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view through the tracer roller support as viewed on the line I l-| I of Figure 3.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Figure 11.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings the reference numeral Ill indicates in general the bed of the machine which, as shown in Figure 3, is

provided with guideways II for guiding avreciprocating work table l2.

The table is power reciprocated by a hydraulic motor consisting of a cylinder l3'and contained piston I 4, the latter being connected by a piston rod l5 to the table l2, as shown in Figure 5.

Uprising from the rear of the bed I0 is a col umn l 6 which'has guideways ll, Figure 3, formed thereon for receiving andguiding a vertically movable spindle carrier I8 which carries the that any modifications maybe made in the ex act structural details there shown and described, within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention. 0

Referring to the drawings in which likereference numerals indicate like or similar parts: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine tool embodying the principlesof this invention.

Figure 2 is a detail section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1 illustrating the trip control plunger. Figure 3 is an end view of a portion of v the machine shown in Figure 1 as viewed from the left of that figure and illustrating certain'deta lsof the machine. t a

Figure 4 is a section through the tracer controlled mechanism as viewed on the line 41-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic control circuit.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pilot control valve. i

tracer control mechanism indicated generally by the numeral IS, The spindle carrier has a cutter spindle 20 journaled therein and suitable power driving means are provided for rotating the spindle and attached cutter which is indicated by the reference numeral 2|. It will be noted that "the cutter spindle lies parallel to the surface of the table l2, and means are provided for elevating the carrier and thereby effecting lateral movement of the cutter spindle with respect to the table.

The actuator for the spindle carrier or tool support consists of a hydraulic motor of the piston and cylinder type, comprising a cylinder 22 and contained piston 23, the latter being connected by a piston rod 24 to the carrier.

A hydraulic transmission and control mechanism is provided for reciprocating the table which is shown more particularly in Figure 5.

Refering to this figure, the reference numeral 4 25 indicates a feed pump having an intake 26 through which fluid is withdrawn from a reservoir 21, and a delivery channel 28 by which the pump is connected to port 29 of a start and stop control valve 30. A relief valve 3| is shown connected to the channel 28 for bypassing fluid to reservoir under excessive pressure. The start and stop control valve has a shiftable plunger 32, which is shown in running position in Figure 5, whereby the fluid will continue through the cannelure 33' and channel 34 to port 35 of a rate valve indicated generally by the reference numeral 36. The rate valve contains a shiftable plunger 31 which has a feed position, in which fluid and decreasing Therefore, whenever it is shown, and a rapid traverse position which is attained when the plunger is shifted to the right. In the feed position the port 35 is connected to port 38 and the fluid pressure continues through channel 39 to port 48 of a direction determining valv indicated generally by the reference numeral 4|.

This valve contains a shiftable plunger 42 which is shown in position to effect movement of the table I2 towardthe left, and when shifted to the right it will effect movement of the table toward the right. In the position shown, the port 48 is connected to port 43 and the fluid pressure continues through channel 44 to the table cylinder port 45. Fluid from the other end of the cylinder returns through port 48, channel 41, valve M and channel 48 to port 49 of the rate valve 38. In the feed valve the port 49 is interconnected with port 58 whereby the returning dicated generally by the reference numeral 53.

The port 52- is adaptedto be connected by a cannelure 54 of this valve to port 55 and channel 58 which leads to an adjustable throttle valve 51. The throttle valve has a .port 58 which is connected by a return channel 59 to the reservoir 21. -Attention is invited to the fact that the spools 88 and 8| of the tracer valve plunger 52 are shown in a position to partially close ports 52 and 55 respectively.

position of this fluid continues through I channel to port 52 of the tracer valve, in-

This is the relationship of the parts when the tracer valve is in a neutral position as when following a straight profile extending parallel to the top of the table. It will now be evident that should the tracer valve be shifted in either direction from this neutral position that either port 52 or port 55 will be further closed, thereby imposing an additional throttle on the returning the feed rate of the table. the tracer is deflected to effect upward or downward movement of the spindlecarrier, the table feed rate is reduced.

To change the direction of table movement the plunger 42 of the reversing valve H is shifted to the right, whereby port 48 becomes connected to port 83 directing the pressure fluid to the left end of the cylinder, and port 43 becomes connected to port 83' directing the returning fiuidto channel 48.

When it is desired to move the tableat a rapid traverse rate, the output of a rapid traverse pump 84 is added to that of the feed pump by shifting the valve plunger 31 into its right hand position. The pump 84 has an intake 85 through which fluid v 21, and a delivery channel 88 bywhich it is connected through port 81 and port 68 of the start and stop valve 32, to port 89 of the rate valve 38. The channel 88 has the usual relief valve 18 connected thereto for bypassing fluid to reservoir should the pressure rise too high.

When the rate valve plunger 31 is in a feed position the port 69 is interconnected to port H by the annular groove 12 for returningthe delivery of the rapid traverse pump to reservoir through channel 13, interconnected ports 14 and 15 of the stop valve, and return channel 18. When the plunger 31 is shifted to the right to a rapid traverse position thereturn channel 48 from the reversing valve is connected through interconnected ports 49 and H of the rate valve to thereturn channel 18 so that the returning fluid passes directly to reservoir rather than through the throttle valve 51.

' groove 83 connects is-withdrawn from reservoir In the rapid traverse the annular groove erse pump port 89 to port 38 to eflect rapid movement of the table. The volumetric delivery of the rapid traverse pump is augmented at this time by thevolumetric delivery of the feed pump in the following manner.

The feed pump port 35 registers at this time with an annular groove 11 in plunger 31 and this annular groove is connected by interdrilling 18 in the plunger to annular groove 12 whereby the flow from the feed pump may be added to the flow from the rapid traverse pump,

The shifting of the rate and direction valve plungers is remotely-controlled through hydrauposition of plunger 31 he power means by a pilot valve indicated generally by the reference numeral 19. Fluid pressure is conducted to the pilot valve from the pump 25 through branch 88 of pressure line 28. The valve includes a fixed distributor bushing 8| in which is formed a port 82 that serves to connect the line 88 to an annular groove 83 formed in'the pilot valve plunger 84.

The plunger 84 is capable of an axial shifting movement to effect a change in table direction, and the groove 83 is made sufliciently wide to maintain registry with the port 82 during this shifting movement. The plunger 84 may also be rotated through a predetermined angle in either or its axial positions to effect a change in table rate.

A diametrical bore 85 drilled in the annular the annular groove to two axially extending high pressure bores 88 and 81, Figure 6. Radial distributor passages, such as 88, conduct the fluid from the high pressure bores to ports 89 formed in the annular grooves 98, 9|, 92 and 93 to which are connected channels 94, 95, 98 and 91. The passage 94 is connected to port 98 located in the right hand end of the direction valve 4i; the channel 95 is connected to port 89 in the right hand end of the rate valve 38; channel 91 Is connected to port I88 located in the left hand end of the direction valve, and-the port 98 is connected in parallel through either a check valve IM or an interlock valve I82 to port I83 located in the left end of the rate valve 38. The return flow through any of these channels is connected through radial distributor passages I83 similar to 88 to a pair of low pressure bores I84 and I85 extending longitudinally of the plunger 84 but open at one end whereby the fluid may discharge to reservoir. It is thus possible by proper positioning of the plunger to effect desired registry between the various distributor passages and the channel ports to eflect the different position combinations of the rate and direction valve plungers to obtain either a fast rate'or a slow rate of table movement for either direction of said movement.

The hydraulic connections eflected by the various positions of the pilot valve plunger are illustrated in Figures '1, 8, 9 and l0.- In Figure 'I the pressure port 82 is connected to channels 94 and 95, thereby shifting plungers 31 and 42 to their left hand position, resulting in a feed left movement of the table. In Figure 8 the pressure port 82 is connected to channels 94 and 98 whereby the direction determining plunger 42 remains in the same position but the shifting of plunger 31 is prevented by and the only other path for the fluid is through the interlock valve I82. This valve has a plunger I88 which is normally held in the position shown in Figure 5 by a spring I81.

12 connects the rapid travthe cheek valve I8I In this position the port I08 is closed and the port I 08 which is connected bybranch line III to port I03 of the rate valve is connected to a reservoir port III by the annular groove H2 in plunger I08. It is, therefore, necessary for this plunger to be moved upward a sufficient distance to interconnect port I08 to port I09 before fluid can flow to port I03 and eifect the rapid traverse position 01' plunger 31.. This interlock valve is provided to insure that the spindle carrier I8 has been elevated to its upper position to move the cutter and tracer out of engagement .with the work and pattern respectively. before the rapid traverse movement sets in.

The carrier is, therefore, provided with an actuating dog II3 which is adapted to engage the end of the plunger I08 and shift it to a position interconnecting ports I08 and I09 as the carrier reaches the limit of its upper movement. When this has been accomplished the plunger 31 is.

then shifted to put into effect a rapid traverse movement. i

In Figure 9, the pressure port 82 is shown hydraulically connected to lines 81 and 85 whereby the direction plunger 42 is shifted to the right and the rate plunger-31 is'shifted to the left which results in a feeding movement of the table to the right.

effect withdrawal of the pawl I24. The pawl may also be withdrawn automatically upon downward actuation of trip plunger I3I by dog I32. The table may thus be manually or automatically controlled as to rate, direction or stopping. The spindle carrier I8 which is actuated by the piston 23 is capable of a positioning move- -ment to bring the cutterdown to the work or to effect retraction of the cutter as during substitution of new work; and also of a working movement in which the cutter is automatically moved laterally in accordance with the configuration or" outline of a pattern or master under control of a tracer in contact with said master. The flow of hydraulic. fluid to the cylinder 22 is controlled by the tracer valve plunger 82 and means are provided for utilizing this plunger-to control the two different kinds of movement of which the spindle carrier is capable, but different control means are provided for actuating the plunger for each kind of movement.

, Remote control means are provided for positioning the plunger to effect the positioning In Figure the pressure port 82 is. shown connected to lines 88 and 81 whereby the rate plunger 42 remains in the same position and the rapid traverse plunger at 31 will be shifted to the right when the interlock valve I02 is properly positioned.

' The pilot valve plunger 84 is connected as shown in Figure 2 to an axially movable and rotatable trip plunger II4 by a ball-endedcrank II5. From this figure it will be apparent that axial movement of the trip plunger I I4 will eifect rotation of the pilot valve plunger 84 which will -effect a change in rate; and rotation of the plunger II4 will effect axial movement of the pilot valve plunger 84 in direction.

. The trip plunger II 4 has a radially extending wing II8 which is adapted to be alternately engaged by trip dogs II I to effect opposite direction of rotation of the plunger; and a pair of lugs H8 and H9 which are adapted to be engaged by trip dogs I and I2I for effecting axial movementof the plunger. Thus, it is possible to effect auwhich will eflect a change the spindle carrier.

Plunger is shifted downward, the pressure port tomatically changes in the rate and direction of v movement of .the table. I

The pilot valve plunger extends to the end of the bed as shown in Figure 1 and is provided with a manually operable handle I22 which is supported for universal movement .so as to effect rotation or axial movement of the plunger 84.

The stop valve plunger 32 extends longitudinally of the bed and is provided with a manual control lever I23. The plunger 32 is normally held in its running position by a latch I24 against the compression of a spring I25 which, as shown in Figure 5, is interposed between a fixed part I28 of the machine and a flange 'I2'I formed on the plunger 32. When the latch I 24'is withdrawn from engagement with the plunger 32 the spring I25 shifts the plunger to a stop position. Rotation of the lever I23 in a counterclockwise direction will shift the stop plunger 32 toward the right as viewed in Figure 1, and by means of the linkage connection I28 the pawl I24 will drop into the slot I 29 to hold the stop ,valve in running' position. By providing a lost motion connection at I30, the lever I23 may be rotated clockwise to movements of the spindle carrier and this means may be actuated automatically in accordance with the machine cycle or actuated at will by the operator either during a machine cycle or while the table is stopped. A tracer mechanism 'is provided for governing the actuation of the profiling or cutting of This valve has an intermediate pressure port I38 which is supplied with fluid through branch I40 of channel 28 which is supplied with fluid pressure at all times. The tracer valve is also provided with a pair of exhaust ports I and I42 which are operatively connected to the return line I43. The tracer valve plunger 62 has a central spool I44 which normally is in a position to close the pressure port I33 but when the plunger is shifted upward the pressure port I39 is uncovered and fluid flows through port I38 and channel I36to port I34 of cylinder 22 to cause upward movement 01' When the tracer valve I39 is connected to port I31 and fluid flows through channel I35 to port I33 of cylinder 22 to effect downward movement of the spindle carrier. When the plunger 62 is moved upward the port I31 is connected to exhaust port I42 and when the plunger is moved downward port I38 is connected to port I4 I, whereby the fluid in the low pressure end of cylinder 22 may be exhausted to reservoir.

Referring to Figure 4, the plunger 62 which is tubular in construction has a plug I45 threaded in the upper end thereof and this plug provides a shoulder I46 which is engageable by a fluid rotatable lever I41 to' effect upward movement of the plunger. The lever I 41 is pivoted at I48 for rotation clockwise by a fluid operable plunger I49 and rotation counterclockwise by a spring Operated plunger I50. The plunger I49 slides in a bore I 5I which is in the form of a cylinder and this cylinder as shown in Figure 5 is connected by channel I52 to channel 86.

through this latter channel that fluid is directed by the pilot valve to effect shifting of the rate valve plunger to a rapidtraverse position. It will, therefore, be apparent that whenever the- .rate of movement of the table is changed to rapid Itisv the supporting shaft I64 has a'threaded bore in one end in which is threaded an adjusting'screw I56, the screw having an enlarged head I61. The tracer friction bearings I1I on the shaft spects its axis whereby .pattern may traverse, that the tracer valve plunger is shifted automatically f to an extreme upward position plunger is then actuated to actuallyefiect the rapid traverse movement of the table. At all other times the channel 96 is connected to reservoir whereby the spring pressed plunger I5II- retracts the lever I41, leaving I the tracer valve plunger free to fall bygravity.

If the machine is st'arted at a feed rate the fall of the tracer valve plunger will be suflicient.

to connect ports I39 and I31 and cause'a rapid downward This movement will be terminated when the tracer enga'gesthe pattern. The tracing mechanism includes a lever I53 whichhas an integral ball-shaped portion I54 that is adapted to seat on the support I55 threaded inthe end of ,the fixed sleeve I56 of the'tracer valve. Atthe up per end this lever is provided with'a conicalshaped seat I51 for receiving a ball I58 which is interposed between the end of the lever and the plug I45 threaded in the upper end of the valve plunger 62. This plug has a conical-shaped seat I59 which engages the ball, and the weight of the plunger 'tends ofthe tracer armv I53 axially of the plunger. It will, therefore, beseen that the tracer arm- I53 when resting on theseat in the support I55 limits the extent of the downward movement of the tracervalve plunger;

The tracer arm I53 is'provided with a bifurcated end as shown in Figure 12 comprising two arms I60 and I6i. The end of each arm is also bifurcated to'form a slot for receiving antlfriction bearings I62. These bearings are mounted on tubes I63 which form journals for I64 of the tracer-roller I65.

The shaft roller I65 is conical-shaped, thereby making an element of its periphery inclined to its axis. The

master plate, I68, as" shown in Figure 3, has a" rounded edge I69 and struction is toprovide for of the roller I65 to compensate the diameter of the cutter due to sharpening operations. o

vBy rotating the head I61 the screw and nut connection effects axial shifting of the shaft I64. When this shifting has been accomplished a lockthe purpose of this conlateral adjustment movement of the spindle carrier.

to centralize the" position for changes in ment of the spindle carrier and subsequent axial movement of the tracer arm' will cause further opening of the valve to increase the. rate of upward movement if the inclineon the profile continues. This tends to ease the beginning of an upward movement as otherwise'if the'tracer arm were held rigidly against lateral movement a severe strain would be placed on the parts in initiating upward movement ot-the tracer valve.

In other words, the weight of the valve member serves asa' means to and restrain it 62 acting on the ball I58 centralize the tracer arm I53 against lateral movement, .whilethe abutments' I12 serve as positive means for limiting-the extent of lateral movement upon yieldirigoi the centralizing means.

In order to prevent dirt particles from accumlating between the tracervalv and corresponding port's, means are provided for rotating the valve including a fluid operated gear motor I13 which, as shown inFigure 4, is mounted in the top of the tracer housing having one shaft ing into operative engagement with the upper end of the valve. The motor I13 'issupplied with fluid pressure from channel I40 through anydraulic' resistance- I15-as shown in-Figure 5.

In order to prevent dropping when the machine is shut down and there is no hydraulic pressure, a counterbalance weight I16 is operatively connected to by means of a cable I11 which passes over a sheave I18 that is rotatably mounted in the upper part of the column I6- as--shown in Figural. This weight plus the suflicient to'maintain the spindlecarrier ln-any given vertical position in case .the hydraulic pressure fails. r

An illustrative cycle 01 operation of the machine will now be explained. Assuming that a 'work piece, such as I19,'is suitably attachedto the-table and a template having the desired profile to be reproduced is secured'in position and bearing the-same relation to the tracer roller that the work piece bears to the cutter, the machine is ready for a cutting operation. It will further be assumed that the table is 'ina right position ready to start movement toward the left and that the spindle carrier is up.

If it is desired to provide for variation 0! the feed rate during the cutting operation, a. iced rate control cam I80 may be attached to the rear of the table, as shown in Figure 3, for actuation of ing element I10 is tightened to prevent further Since the shaft I64 does I is supported by anti- I64 for relative be anticipated which will cause lateral movement of the tracer arm I53 and cause the ball I50 shown in Figure 4 to ride out of its conical seat and cause upward movement of the tracer valve. I This will start the upward movean upward incline in the ,After carrier to descend at a a crank I8I secured to the end of a pinion shaft I82. This shaft is operatively connected through a rack I83 and a second pinion I84 to a shaft I" which serves to rotate the throttle valve 51. With the machine properly loaded the operator prepositions the, rate and direction control lever I22 to set thepilot valve in a rapid traverse left position and then throws the stop lever, to a running position.

traverse rate the trip dog I20 depresses the trip plunger II4 to a feed rate position which simul-' taneously and automatically causes the spindle rapid traverse rate until the tracer roller engages the template I68. This stops the downward movement of the spindle carrier and the table moves at a feed rate. The cutting operation then proceeds with the rate 01 table movement varying under control of the feed rate cam, if the same is carrier is automatically moved up or down as dictated by the template I68.- I I At the endof the cutting operation a second I" dependthe spindle carrier I8 from the carrier friction of the guideways is a predetermined movement at a rapid utilized, and the, spindle and simultaneously cause the tracer dog such as l2l moves the trip plunger I upward, changing the rate of table movement to rapid traverse. The spindle carrier will automatically move upward to its retracted position with the table stopped due to the fact that the rate valve plunger is in a rapid traverse position, but the rapid traverse movement cannot be instituted until the spindle -carrier has completed its upward movement.

A reversing dog, such as 1, rotates the plunger H4 to change the direction of table movement and the parts returned to starting position. at a rapid rate. If desired, an automatic stop dog I32 may be utilized to stopthe movement of the tablebefore the reversing dog H1 becomes effective to start a new cycle.

There has thus been provided an improved automatic profiling machine having an improved tracer control mechanism, and an interlocking mechanism with the table control mechanism whereby an improved cycle Of operation may be accomplished and a machine providedfor automaticallyproducing profile surfaces in a safe and eilicient manner.

I claim:

1. In a milling machine having a cutter support and a work support, the combination with power operable means for efiecting relative movement between the supports at a feeding rate" I or a rapid traverse rate, of a tracer carried by one of said supports for engagementwith a pattern carried by the other support, meanscontrolled by the tracer for governing movement of one of said supports toward and from the other support during the feeding movement, a rate controller shiftable to change the feed rate to a rapid traverse rate, means simultaneously operated thereby for causing the tracer to eflect separation of the supports, and means to delay said rapid traverse movement from becoming effective until said separation has been completed.

2. In a machine tool having a tool support and a work support, the combination of power operable means for effecting a relative feeding movement between the supports, atracer carried by one of said supports for engaging a pattern carriedby the other support, means governed by the tracer during contact with the pattern for controlling movement of one support toward andfrom the other support in accordance with variations in the contour of said pattern, and means to change the feed rate to a rapid traverse rate to effect separation of the supports.

3. In a milling machine having a cutter, a cutter support and a Work support, a tracer carried by one of said supports for engagement with a pattern carried by the other support, the combination of power operable means for effecting a relative traversing of one of said supports at a feed rate, a control member having a rapid traverse position, means operable by said member upon movement to its rapid traverse position to cause the tracer to efiiect separation between the supports and thereby disengagement of the cutter from the work, and means controlled by the separating support for instituting said rapid traverse movement.

4. In a milling machine having a cutter support and a work support, a tracer mounted on one of said supports and a pattern mounted on the other, the combination of power operable means for shifting said table at a rapid traverse rate, control means actuable to change said rapid traverse rate to a feed rate, and additional means responsive to operation of said control means to cause the tracer to eifect a positional shift of the cutter support toward the work support and thereby engagement of the tracer with V the pattern.

5. In a milling machine having a cutter support and a work support, a tracer mounted on one of said supports and a pattern mounted on the other of said supports, the combination of a power transmission for effecting a relative trav cause the tracer to effect movement of the cut ter support away from the work support.

6.' Ina milling machine having a work support and a spindle carrier movable toward and from the work support, the combination with a tracer carried by said spindle carrier for engagement with a pattern carried by the work support, of power operable means for feeding the work support, means controlled by the tracer for causing movement of the spindle carrier toward and from the work support, a control lever shiftable to a rapid traverse position for changing the'rate of-movement of said table, means controlled by said lever for automatically positioning said tracer valve to cause movement of the spindle carrier away from the work support, and interlock means controlled by said spindle carrier for preventing rapid traversing of the table until the carrier has been retracted.

'7. In a milling machine having a work support and acutter-support, the combination with a tracer mounted on the cutter support for controlling relative movement of the latter toward and from the work support, of power operable means for feeding the table with the tracer in engagement with a pattern, control means for said power operable means including a first control lever effective to stop. said feeding movement, a second control lever for controlling the rate of table movement, and additional means controlled by said second lever when the table is stopped to effect separation of the port from the work support.

g 8. In a milling machine having a work support and a ctuter support, the combination of power operable means for effecting movement of the cutter support toward and from the work support, a tracer mounted on the cutter support for engaging a pattern mounted on the work support to control said power operable means wherestant rate, and means carried by. the table for controlling variations in said rate and independently of the tracer.

9. In a milling machine having a cutter support and a work support, the combination with power operable means for driving the table, of a stop control lever and a rate control lever, and means to utilize said rate control lever when the stop lever is in a'stop position to effect movement of the tool carrier toward and from the work support.

10. In a milling machine having a work support and a tool carrier guided for movement relative to the work support, the combination of fluid operable means for shifting said carrier, a source automatically cutter supof fluid pressure, a control valve for controlling the coupling of said source of pressure to said fluid operable means, remote control means for positioning said valve to produce rapid movement of the carrier, a tracer arm mounted on the carrier and operatlvely connected to said control valve, and means on the tracer arm adapted to engage a template carried by the work support for pattern controlling the movement of said control valve.

11. In a milling machine having a work support and a spindle carrier guided for movement relative to the work support, the combination or power operable means -for traversing said work support including rate control means, a manually operable control lever for effecting power positioning of said rate control means, fluid operable means for shifting said spindle carrier, 9. control valve for said last-named means and operatively connected for remote control from said lever, and means for disabling said rate control means whereby the lever may be utilized for controlling sole actuation of the spindle carrier.

12. In a pattern controlled machine tool having a work supporting table and a slide movable toward and from the table, a rotatable cutter and a tracer supported on the slide, said tracer being adapted to engage a pattern mounted on the table, the combination of power operable means controlled by the tracer for causing movement of the slide toward and from the table during traversing thereof in accordance with variations in the profile'of the pattern, power operable means for traversing the table selectively at a feed rate or a rapid traverse rate, and means trip controlled by the table for causing engagement of the tracer with the pattern when a feed rate is instituted and for causing disengagement of the tracer from the pattern when a rapid traverse rate is in,- stituted.

13. In a milling machine having a work support and a cutter support, a cutter mounted on the cutter support, the combination of a tracer mounted on said cutter support for scanning a pattern carried by the work support, power operable means controlled by the tracer for moving the cutter support toward and from the work support, power operable means for translating the table at fast or slow rates and a control means for said last-named power operable means and positionable for efiecting either of said rates and simultaneously causing engagement of the tracer with the pattern in one rate position and disengagement of the tracer from the pattern for the other rate position, and other means for starting and stopping the table with the tracer in either position. I 14. In a milling machine having a cutter support and a work support, the combination with fluid operable means for traversing one of said supports at a feed rate or a rapid traverse rate, a second fluid operable means for advancing the other support toward and from the traversing support, a rate selector control valve for said first-named fluid operable means, a tracer carried by one of said supports for scanning a pattern carried by the other support, a tracer controlled valve for governing operation of the second-named fluid operable means, a fluid operable actuator operatively connected for also shifting said tracer controlled valve, a pilot valve for remotely controlling the positionof said rate selector valve, and means coupling said actuator and said rate selector valve in parallel with said 5 pilot valve whereby during feeding rates the tracer will be engaged with the pattern and during rapid traverse rates the tracer will be disengaged from the pattern. 

